Thursday, May 19, 2011

A deep field at the Old Dominion 100

The men and women’s field at this year’s Old Dominion 100 on June 4th is unlike any other the race has seen in years and years.Maybe ever?Here is what [I think] I know about the field.It’s going to be close at the front for sure!

Registered gals who will make OD a race:

Sabrina Moran (last year’s champion)

Connie Gardner

Registered guys who will make OD a race:

Harland Peele

Sean Andrish

Keith Knipling

Eric Grossman

Jon AllenKarsten Brown

Jon Loewus-Deitch
Little ol me

“Maybes” that could make OD something more:

Aaron Schwartzbard

Brian Schmidt

Jeremy Ramsey

Jason Lantz

If everyone named above toes the line it is safe to say that Old Dominion will produce some very fast times, a few runners may finish in daylight and the race directors had best be ready to part with a large sum of expensive silver hardware.Sean and Keith tell me they’re not racing this one hard but they run pretty fast even when they run slow.I don’t personally know the ladies listed above but I have heard from reliable sources they’re registered.The guys’ names listed above are friends and that is how I know which guys are showing up and who is considering running.I don’t know Eric G. (or Karsten) but I know what his blog says; it says he is running.Who else am I missing?

The Old Dominion entrants list is not published and I have not seen it; therefore, I imagine in addition to the names listed above there are likely other fast runners that I do not know about who are registered for the race.I hope so.I also hope that this blog post finds its way on to the computer screens of other runners- fast, slow or in the middle, men and women- who are on the fence about running Old Dominion and to whom I say see you in Woodstock!

At the risk of fouling the Vegas odds, I would urge bettors to avoid placing any money on me at Old Dominion. I am a poor all-day runner and should wind up squarely mid-pack, assuming I finish. But I can pretty much guarantee that I won't get lost.

The mind games are starting early! Look at all the speedsters chiming in trying to sell themselves short or trick folks into thinking they'll be a no-show. Smooth move, fellas.

Just talked to Ruttum and it looks like he will NOT be coming back to defend his title. He just won McNaughton 2 weeks ago and is focusing on UTMB for his summer plans. Looks like it's anyone's game...

Jon-the thought never crossed my mind. I have no idea what the CR is and I don't care to know. If I have to I'll drink from creeks when I find them.Jason-you can call me Reed. Mr. Reed. We'll miss you!Karsten-looking forward to meeting you. I am not an odds man. Gambling has never been my thing. The point of this post is simply to highlight the apparent inventory of strong running peeps who help make this summer's OD special.Bobby-wish you were running, hommie!

I ran the first third at around 15hr pace last year, and although most of the aid stations were surprised to see me, they at least had their stuff set out. If anything, give the RD a heads up at the pre-race briefing on the pace that you expect to be setting up front.

Sorry as an aid station captain last year, and never to return, there will definitely be no gels unless the aid station captains bring them themselves and as they do not have a budget and most are not runners you can guess. Anyway good luck and enjoy the course.

Neal,I have no where the ability of you and some the above crew,nor the time to run more than 40-50 mile weeks, however I will be back and hope to run 22H, so if anyone is looking for that time we will see you on the course. Even better I talked my buddy into running his 1st 100 at age 57!

Eric- good stuff. Look forward to meeting you. By the way, how can we convince a certain mutual friend of ours- first name begins with the letter J, last name begins with an R- to finally commit jump on the OD train?

John- kick ass. 22hrs would be solid. Look forward to meeting you as well.

Attention anyone and everyone else: if you want to run and haven't already submitted (snail mail) your registration be sure to send it in immediately. Ray Waldron (RD, olddominionrun@gmail.com) said entries must be posted marked by May 26th- this Thursday.